Ukraine ready to buy more Russian gas in case gas prices are lower

January 18, 2012, 17:03 UTC+3The country’s government is looking at possible ways to diversify gas deliveries

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KIEV, January 18 (Itar-Tass) —— Ukraine is ready to buy more Russian gas given gas prices are lower, Ukrainian Minister of Energy and the Coal Industry Yuri Boiko said on Wednesday.

According to Boiko, the current price Ukraine is buying Russian gas at is much higher than that of gas sold to other European countries, and Kiev is far from being happy with a situation like that. At the same time he noted that “there is an understanding at the Ukrainian-Russian talks that the two countries must find a way” out of this situation.

“We are discussing the problem, and I am sure we shall finally reach a compromise,” the minister said at a news conference. He reiterated his country’s position at the talks. Thus, Kiev insists on creating a three-party consortium of Ukraine, Russia and the European Union that would modernize and manage Ukraine’s gas transportation system. Apart from that, Kiev demands guarantees concerning the volume of gas transit to Europe.

Boiko once again stressed that his country would buy “as much gas as is needed by its economy.”

He also said the country’s government is looking at possible ways to diversify gas deliveries.